When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

A NEW group has been set up to campaign for hospital services in Rossendale.

Rossendale Hospital Group, set up following the recent special council meeting with the help of Rossendale Community Network, is calling for a fully-integrated multi-agency hospital for the Valley to reverse the decline in locally-available hospital care.

One of the founder members, Stuart Haines, deputy chief executive of the British Association of Medical Managers, said: 'Two out of three of our hospital wards have recently closed and the third is about to follow, leaving Rossendale without in-patient facilities.

'Our aim is to bring together a range of services under one roof, a fit-for-purpose hospital for Rossendale.'

Stuart, who was born in the hospital, said: 'This gives us the opportunity to fight for what we believe is right.

'Imagine a purpose-built health space with a range of in-patient services that could include an injuries unit, out-patient and diagnostics, day hospital, therapy and advice centres and providing a real 21st century service, a one-stop health shop linking in to other health provision in Rossendale.

'We are in the very early days but there is already growing interest and support.

'We can build for Rossendale a local health service that can be a beacon for the whole country.'

Another founding member of the group is leading local health campaigner, Dorothy Mitchell, while others at the initial meeting were councillors Gladys Sandiford, David Hancock, Amanda Robertson and Peter Starkey.

The group is looking for more members with an interest in local health provision.

Stuart said: 'There has already been interest from GPs. We want to know if people agree with what we are suggesting. Anyone interested can contact me on 07880 700192 or Dorothy on 229854.'

The next meeting is at Rossendale Hospice on Tuesday, 21 February, at 7.30pm.

ROSSENDALE Hospital Group says the new hospital should include:

In-patient facilities: Nurse-led rehabilitation war (a re-launch of ward 1 closed last summer); GP-bed ward staffed by permanent nurses, similar at Hartley ward at Pendle community hospital, mental health ward, including day facilities (similar to the recently closed ward 11).